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Los Angeles Clippers: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) speaks with guard Chris Paul (3) during a stoppage in play against Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers
Oct 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) walks on the court with guard Jamal Crawford (11) and guard CJ Wilcox (30) during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Predictions

Unless Griffin or Paul comes right out and says they’re unhappy, the Clippers won’t be trading either one of them. They’re putting all their eggs in the 2016-17 basket, hoping it fills itself up with enough reasons for them to stay in free agency when summer arrives.

Normally, the Clippers would be a great Vegas bet for winning a title. They have a high-powered offense, an underrated defense, a Big Three, a coach with championship experience and an improved bench. Unfortunately, the Warriors and Cavaliers are just too damn good, and that’s without even including the ever-dangerous Spurs.

With so many threats lurking on the path to this year’s NBA championship, it’s hard to see the Clippers finally breaking through. Blake Griffin is poised for the best season of his career, but depending on who Los Angeles faces in their playoff run, the team’s season could very well end in the second round once again.

Most likely, Los Angeles wins around 57 games and earns the No. 2 seed in the West, but fails to reach the NBA Finals. The Clippers’ bench will put up points, but it won’t be enough to get them any further than the conference finals at best.

Next: 2016-17 Win Total Projections For All 30 NBA Teams

Both Paul and Griffin will opt out, with CP3 taking his talents elsewhere and Griffin re-signing on a max deal. The Lob City era will be over, leaving the front office with the daunting task of replacing one of the greatest point guards of all-time to assemble a new title contender around Griffin and Jordan.

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